357 mag 158gr LSWC Unique loads

[dave from mesa]

The only powder that I could get that was reasonable was Unique. Hear lots of people say it's a good powder for mid-range 357 loads. Darned if I can find any data for it. Have lots of books some new some older but no real data for a load.
Anyone have a load they want to share for 357 158 LSWC?

thanks

 

[CZ57]

The following data is from the SPEER #11 manual and the bullet used was swaged lead. You didn't mention the hardness of your bullets but this should work for a starting point.

5.5 grains 970 FPS

6.0 grains 1034 Fps

 

[ColtPythonElite]

The data is in both my Speer manuals, and I'm sure in my Lee. It is also easy to find on Alliant's website:

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=158&shellid=28&bulletid=30

 

[TooManyToys]

Here you go,...
Lee current addition (2nd) page 557.
158 g, lead bullet, Unique
6.2 @ 1188 fps. Starting load
6.8 @ 1295 fps. Max load
--------

 

[MrGreenMachine]

5.5 grains is what I shoot out of my 4" and 6". Nice shooting load. Recoil is mild, it's accurate when I do my part, and no noticeable leading. The only bad part, unique is still dirty despite being the "new and improved cleaner formula!"

 

[rcmodel]

How do you tell?
And who cares?

If you are using lead bullets, the burned & blown off bullet lube is far dirtier then any powder ever made.
Except black powder.

rc

 

[squarles67]

6g Unique under a 158g LRNFP gives me 1102 fps out of a 6" bbl

 

[Stumper]

I've used 6.3gr Unique under a 158 for a nice "more than a .38 but less than full charge .357" load. Tons of older data for Unique in.357. The range of reported loads with 158s is large but amongst those with the pressure data supplied 7.5 grains is a common "max" (28,000CUP)

 

[_N4Z_]

Just tested some .357 Unique loads this morning.

Found a combo that worked very well in both revolver (RugerGP100), and rifle (Marlin1894c).

Missouri Bullet 158gr RNFP with a moderate crimp
6.4gr Unique (Lee Dipper .7)
Mixed brass (Rem, Win, PRVI)
CCI500 primer

 

[Captal_de_Buch]

I'm currently using 5.5 gr of Unique in 357 with 158 LSWC.

It's stays under 1000 FPS.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The only powder that I could get that was reasonable was Unique. Hear lots of people say it's a good powder for mid-range 357 loads. Darned if I can find any data for it. Have lots of books some new some older but no real data for a load.
Anyone have a load they want to share for 357 158 LSWC?

I'm guessing you did check the Alliant Load Data site. They have the data you're looking for.

.357 Magnum 158gr LSWC
OAL: 1.57" - Bbl: 6" - Primer: CCI500 - Powder: Unique - Charge: 6.0gr - Velocity: 1,034 fps

 

[dave from mesa]

I'm guessing you did check the Alliant Load Data site. They have the data you're looking for.

Yes I did and some others but wanted to see what else was out there. Would really like to stay around 900+fps. The gun has a 4" barrel and most loads were for 6". I have about 7 reloading books and info for Unique is kind of scarce.
thanks

BTW I bought Missouri Bullet Co 158 LSWC bullets. Not sure how hard they are.

 

[Quoheleth]

If you bought the .357 Action! bullet, it's 18BHN. Brad (owner of MBC) told me once those bullets will take more punishment than your wrist can stand, meaning if you want to run 'em hot & heavy, go for it.

If you bought the .38 Match (same bullet, but in softer, 12BHN) then you need to keep your velocity down around 850fps or so. They're made for .38 Special velocity. You might be able to get them somewhat faster, maybe not, depending on the gun.

Q

 

[rsrocket1]

By the way, that load from the Alliant Load Data site which gives 1034 out of a 6" bbl will get you 900 fps out of a 4" bbl.

 

[Hanshi]

12.5 grains 2400 with a 150-168 grain lead bullet gives1150fps in my S&W 4" M19 and 1204fps in my S&W M28. Accuracy is fine and I prefer Thompson's GCSWC.

 

[W.E.G.]

from Quickload

 

[dave from mesa]

from Quickload

Well that is cool. thanks
Have a Mac so Quickload doesn't work anymore.

If you bought the .357 Action

Yes I did. Guess I got lucky.

Loaded 50 rds w/5.6 today and am going to shoot them tomorrow. Will see if I need to change that from how is shoots. Just want to have fun not shoot the heck out of it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you bought the .357 Action
Yes I did. Guess I got lucky.

Actually, you may not be as lucky as you think. Very hard bullets like those will lead badly if you don't develop enough pressure. Bullets with a 12 BHN are fine up to and possible past 1000 fps but under 900 fps a bullet with a BHN of 18+ will lead the barrel. It's not how hard the bullet is, it's the proper bullet for the application. Many times a bullet that's too hard will lead worse than one that's too soft.

 

[murf]

let us know how the shooting goes. curious to see if the barrel leads up with those soft bullets.

murf

 

[dave from mesa]

ArchangelCD
Actually I did know that info but didn't remember it till you posted about it. thanks
Gonna bump up the load and see if either lead the barrel.
thanks again

murf
The bullets are real hard not soft. Will post later to tell you guys how it went.

Have 50 rds loaded at 5.5 grs and will load 50 more at 6.0 grs. Hope that will be enough.

 

[dave from mesa]

Well went and shot the loads today. Never had a gun get so dirty and the smoke was terrible. Seemed like I was shooting black powder. Both loads shot good but real dirty.
Below are pic of the gun after I got home. Haven't got around to checking for leading yet.
Depending what you guys say I might add more powder.

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[ArchAngelCD]

Between the bullet lube and the fact Unique is a very dirty powder that's what you're gona get when you shoot ammo made with Unique. (even though there are a lot of reloaders who deny Unique is dirty)

 

[kelbro]

Looks normal for Unique in a stainless pistol.

 

[_N4Z_]

Yep, looks just like my SS GP100 after a day with cast and Unique.

That stuff wipes right off, real easy, no problem.

Try bumping that charge up some which in my experience cuts down on some of that soot.

 

[dave from mesa]

Try bumping that charge up some which in my experience cuts down on some of that soot.

Am going to try that but am thinking of trying another powder. Dirty is one thing but this was nasty and real smokey.